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192 



H. R. 2153 



GJMJVT SEQUOIA PRESERVATION ACT 

 Presented by Opponents to H.R. 2153 



INAmrTSHB.L 



The giant sequoias (Sequciadendrongiganteum) are the largest kses in the worid. They are native in 

 only a small region of ttie Siena Nevada mountain range in CaHomia. HR2153 would estabiisti a preserve 

 wittiin trie Sequoia National Forest tor the protection of Itiese tnagnifloeflt tees and to return the area wiinin 

 the preserve to a natural state. ^ 



The giant sequoias deserve protection, indeed, they alrsady haw i. H.R2153 is a needles t)ill. but it 

 goes one step further. It actually threatens the great trees by poor forest management We would like to 

 insure the protection of the giant sequoias by maintaining proper ma na gemen t of ttw entire ecosystem based 

 on sound scientific principles. 



We oppose H.R.2153 because it is flawed. It is vague and leaves too many important details to 

 chance. The bill is not based on sdentificaUy sound principte s and t hr eaten s the very trees it is designed to 

 protect The bill duplicates government proigrams already in effect and adds unnecessary expenses to an 

 already over-taxed budget 



SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT OM H. R. 21S3 



A. The Giant Sequoias are NOT being logged as the bill stales. 



B. The Giant Sequoias are already protected by a Presidentiai Prodamsttion signed by George Bush 

 in 1992. by the Land Management Plan, and by the Medtated Land Settlement ^reement signed 

 in 1 990 by the Sierra Club.The Wiidemess Society, The CaMtemia Native Plant Society, The 

 Sequoia Nationai Forest and over 1 5 other groups. 



C. Private property inhokjers and recreationisis strongly oppose H.R. 21 53. 



Although recreationists are the largest user group of the Nationai Forests, there is not a voice 

 representing recreation on the nine-member panel ttiat wfl direct the Giant Sequoia Preserve. 



H. R. 2153 WILL HARM THE TREES RATHER THAN PROTECT 



A. The bill ignores decades of learning and study atxHJt forest health and management 



B. The bill will cause an increase in fuel loadbig. It sets ttw stage tor catastrophic fire potentid, like 

 what happened in Yeltowstone. 



C. The bill will increase the potential for insect damage and dbease to the forest. 



D. The bill diminishes the ability of the Giant Sequoias to regenerate thentselves. 



ADOmOWAL NEGATIVE EFPECTS OF H.R. 21S3 



A. The bill woukj negatively impact private property rights and speciai use permit hoMers. It carries 

 the potential of seizure of private water rights. 



B. The bill would restrict the ability of the puoiic to use the forest Loss of 



recreation will affect non-profit camps for at-risk kids, diatiettc youth, organizational camps, 

 hunting, fishing, four-wtieel drive vehides, motorcydes, mountain bflung. hiking and general 

 accessibility. People with handicaps and dteaixlities woiid be granted only limited access. 



C. The bill ignores and tosses aside cooperation and intaractton between the public and the Forest 

 Sernce on matters regarding pubNc lands. 



0. The bill ignores ttie need tor timber production in the Uniad Stales. This 

 results in a loss of employment, k}ss of revenue, and ttie fercad purchase of 

 timber from foreign countries (where they do not practice proper torest management) 



E. The W\ has an extremely narrow focus. We need to protect the entire forest not just the Giant 

 Sequoias. We need to develop a twtter and more saentUcally accurate bill. We need to vote no 

 on H. R. 21 53. We need a plan that will encompass, protect and manage the Sierra Nevadas as 

 an entire ecosystem and stop the piece-t)y-piece parceWng of America's natural resources. 



For Additional InformaUon Contact: Bob Phillips or Jeff Ullcy (209) 251-6043 or (209) 335-2881 



